West Ham 1 – 3 MAN CITY – PLAYER RATINGS
20 Oct
Hart - Quickly out at the feet of Diamé in the second-half to deny a goal but it’s hard to remember him being called into action too often. Helpless with Vaz Te’s overhead effort - 6
Richards - A typically powerful performance. Solid defensively, he anticipated danger better than usual, often intercepting the pass played between him and the centre-back. Threatened with a couple of pacey and muscular surges forward - 7
Garcia - It was a huge surprise, not to mention concern, to see him named in the starting line-up, but with West Ham not playing with a recognised striker, Garcia was able to coast through much of the game - 6
Nastasic – One excellent clearance in the first half as he was lunging towards his own goal but seemed a touch ruffled by the visitors’ brief spell of attacking intent after the break - 6
Clichy – He’s had a slow start to the season and once again he didn’t seem quite up to speed. He’s set very high standards over the past couple of years but he was a little unsteady yesterday - 5
Y. Touré - Not his most influential outing and could have done with moving the ball quicker and with more forward-thinking intensity on occasions. He’s the dominant figure when we’re in possession which, if he’s not at his best, has the knock-on effect of impacting negatively upon our whole style but he was a calming presence when we looked to close out the game in the latter stages - 6
Fernandinho - His best performance in a City shirt and were it not for Aguero’s heroics, he could well have been man of the match. He’s had a slow, lightweight start to his career with us but this was a glimpse into what he offers. Patrolled in front of back four with authority, read the game superbly - thus making a number of key interceptions – and then still had the energy to dribble forward with pace and neat footwork - 8
Nasri - Has been so much more positive and purposeful this season, but, as is so often the case when Silva plays, he retreated into his creative shell. Plenty of pleasing touches but the drive and dynamism of previous matches was replaced with a reluctance to play the killer ball - 6
Silva – At the heart of all our endeavours. Managed to find space where others were closed down and had bundles of time on the ball when others felt rushed. Took his goal delightfully and was an ingenious thorn in West Ham’s side throughout - 8
Aguero - Two goals, an assist and another world-class display. He’s such a livewire, constantly on the move, drifting out wide, dropping deep to link the play or offering a speedy option over the top. A brace of clinical finishes and then a gorgeous, deft flick to set up Silva for the third - 8.5
Negredo - Continued his mightily impressive start to his City career. His nonchalant dummy to allow Aguero through for the opener was understated but evidence of his quick-thinking and awareness, whilst he was a bruising yet intelligent performer in attack. Struck the bar with one chance and was unlucky not to add to his goalscoring streak - 7.5
Subs
Kolarov – Operated in a more advanced role than usual, enabling him to drift infield a touch more. We were even treated to the rarely-seen Aleks Kolarov right-foot shot which forced Jussi Jaaskelainen into making a save - 6
Milner – Shored matters up down the right - 6
Jovetic – Barely any opportunity to make an impact - No time to mark
Garcia was excellent. Composed with the ball and dominant in the air.
Kolarov came on, played out of position, and was pretty dreadful despite his good start to the season. Giving them the same score is a bit laughable.
Look, I don’t rate Kolorov but he did ok when he came on. Even helping out down by the corner flag considering it appeared he was playing in “the hole”.
I agree about Kolarov yesterday. I don’t like him but he didn’t do toooooooo bad when he came on. I fear for us at left back this season. Kolarov does some great runs and some great crosses, he can shoot but he can’t defend! Clichy can defend, can run down the wing but can’t cross or shoot! If only we could get a hybrid of the two of them!!!
Great performance by Fernandinho yesterday – at last! If he continues, I will remove him from my ‘get rid’ list!
What a great ‘dummy’ by Negredo!
We need a strong performance against Moscow…..c’mon City!!
Though not a fan of Kolarov but he has shown great improvements in the past few games and he deserves credit or not to be associated with any negativity at the very least. And I am not sure what folks expect him to do in 10 minutes as his introduction was to close down the West Ham’s right hand side and see the game through. I personally think Clichy deserves more criticism based on his performance as he was caught a out of position on few occasions and was anything but the defender I know.
we win 3-1, Kolarov plays for 10 minutes and does nothing particular good or bad and yet every post is about him, its becoming bizarre, and a little amusing if im honest
Two things – we should put in a mega bid for Baines in January and snatch him from the grasp of the Stretford Dolphins. Secondly Aguero was indeed world class and that’s a 9 at least for me.
Baines can’t defend though
Haven’t mastered this yet, the smiles were in appreiation of your post Blue Bullet!
Whilst I’m here I might as well add that Nastasic (a kid age 20 just) and Garcia (much maligned and out of position) did a very good job for us, won just about everything in the air, were very effective all round, and could scarcely have done more than they did. They sure earned their 6′s VfaB!!
Very happy Richards is back, please can we keep him healthy ?? He’s such an incredible asset going forward and in the air
Aguero is indeed fiery hot. We just have to put up a fight to keep him amidst the rumored interest from the La Liga giants, won’t we?